Ámsterdam: The city that was born of a port

Ámsterdam is known by being one of the most liberal cities from across europe. Thus they show it the famous Red “District,“where prostitutes of several parts of the world offer its services in a legal way, the “Coffe Shops“, places where can be bought and to smoke to 5 grams of marijuana to view and patience of all, and the legalization of the homosexual marriages. (to see hotels in Amsterdam)

Amsterdam, Holland 075 - The Venice of Northern Europe by Claudio.Ar - Hermes (On the road, again … slowly

Nevertheless, Ámsterdam is not so alone an open”, but also very rich city of “mind in history and beauty, coming to consider like the “Venice north“, due to their channels that encircle the city. It is also the most important city and capital of Holland -or commonly also called Netherlands- and is distinguished for being a great cultural and financial center of Europe. (to see hotels in Holland)

Its origins were very humble. It was based on the century XII as a small fishing town. They as say, were two fishermen of the neighboring province of Friesland the ones that founded it, upon arriving almost without being given account to the edges of the River Amstel. The commerce with Dutch and German cities, caused that in the 14th century Ámsterdam, will experience a fast economic growth.

In the subsequent centuries the situation would improve to a large extent for the city, since in the century XVI Holland obtained its independence after fighting against Felipe II of Spain. After it occurred this, many Jews, Huguenots and sephardic they moved to Ámsterdam due to their great tolerance of religion.


The 17th century is respected as the Century of Gold of the city, being becoming port of where embarkations toward all parts of the world left. This and another motives, they did of Ámsterdam one of the richest cities of that century.

Then the wars among Holland they would arrive, the United Kingdom and France, the Napoleonic Wars, the Industrial Revolution, the First one and World War II and the German occupation, during which they would be transferred to thousands of Jews to the fields of concentration, among them Ana Frank. They are many places of tourist interest in Ámsterdam.


Its glorious past is marked in each street and monument of the city. The attractions are many and among the of greater interest they are found the Museum of Modern Art Stedelijk, the Museum of the House Rembrandt, the Museum they Go Gogh, the House of Ana Frank, the Hortus Botanicus, the concert Hall Concertgebouw, among others.